NY Firefighter Father and Son Settle Suit With Fire Company

A father and son who were wrongly accused of stealing donated smoke detectors from the New Hyde Park Fire Department, and who were awarded $625,000 by a federal jury last year, have agreed to settle their claims for $900,000.

Former New Hyde Park Fire Commissioner Michael Dolan Sr. and his son Michael Dolan Jr., faced criminal charges and were removed from the fire department back in 2012. After they were cleared they sued the department for malicious prosecution and abuse of process. According to Newsday, the Dolans alleged they were targeted by some of New Hyde Park’s fire commissioners because Commissioner Dolan wanted to stop the selling alcohol in the firehouse clubroom.

The $900,000 settlement is reportedly composed of the $625,000 judgment, plus attorney’s fees of $275,000.

More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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